The Heiresses by Alison Rushby ★★★

Trust no one - especially your relatives

Reviewed by Katelyn (aged 13) Meet Katelyn.

In 1926 Thalia, Erato and Clio are summoned to London by Hestia, a long lost Aunt that none of the girls knew they had. When they arrive from their individual homes, the girls discover that they are triplets who were separated at birth. Hestia also informs them that they are heiresses to their mother's fortune which is currently under the control of their greedy half-brother, Charles. The sisters move into their Aunt Hestia's London house and begin their new lives together, while plotting to get their inheritance from the loathsome Charles.

While the girls are in London they realize something. Each of them is there for a reason:

Thalia is there to get away from her dark past.

Erato is there to achieve her dream.

Clio is there to help save the only mother she has ever known.

The girls realize that they must trust no-one; let alone each other.

The plot for this book is very good and witty. I would recommend this for thirteen year old to fifteen year old girls. 

Thank you to the kind people at Pan Macmillan for our review copy.

RELEASE Date:       May 2013

MORE information:     CLICK HERE  

READ an extract:        CLICK HERE   

AUTHOR’s Website:   http://allisonrushby.com/

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Having failed at becoming a ballerina with pierced ears (her childhood dream), Allison Rushby instead began a writing career as a journalism student at the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia. Within a few months she slunk sideways into studying Russian, began writing her first novel and, most importantly, joined the Chocolate Appreciation Society. Over the past ten years, she has published five books for young adult readers and five for adult readers in the women's fiction genre. She is originally from Brisbane, Australia, but spent 2011 and most of 2012 living in Cambridge, UK, where she mainly spent her days whingeing constantly about the weather.

 

Epic (3D) ★★★½

Reviewed by Alex (Aged 12)  Meet Alex

Opens in Australia: July 4, 2013  USA:  24^th May, 2013  UK: 22^nd May 2013

Other Countries: Release Information

Epic begins with the character of Bomba, a determined professor, who studies a civilization of tiny people who he has never seen. Mary Katherine (MK) is his 17 year old daughter who one day is magically transported to this microscopic world where there is a battle going on between leaf men (good) and Boggans (evil).  

Queen Tara passes on an important mission to MK which involves bringing the “chosen pod” to Nim Galuu, a wise caterpillar who can read ancient scrolls that hold the key to MK’s quest.  

MK is joined by Nod, a rebellious teen, Ronin, a courageous and selfless leader of the leafmen warriors, and Mug and Grub, a slug and snail, who are guardians of the pods. Pods are important as they are needed to keep the forest alive.

Trouble comes when Mandrake, a fierce and mean leader of the Boggans, believes the forest belongs to the darkness. He has the power to destroy anything he touches. Only the power of the “chosen pod” can stop him which is why MK and her heroic team need to protect the pod.

The quality of the animation was impressive, especially in 3D, as it made it feel like you were in their world. The battle scenes are entertaining and action packed but some parts of the film were too slow. Bomba was my least favourite character as he annoyingly slowed the pace down with his absent mindedness.  

“Ugly says what?” “what?” “nothing...(Mug and Grub arguing). ” Mug and Grub were my favourite characters as they brought laughter to the movie. I also liked the character of Queen Tara as she had awesome powers which allowed her to control nature.

Epic holds within it a couple of messages – be respectful of the environment, and never stop believing in something just because you can’t see it.

The story-line was like the usual good versus evil scenario and I found it easy to follow. Epic has action, adventure, comedy, villains and heroes. Something for everyone.

Queen Alice’s Palaces – Juliette MacIver and Lucia Masciullo ★★★

Reviewed by Carmela Ramos Meet Carmela

          In ‘Queen Alice’s Palaces, Juliette MacIver demonstrates an imaginative creativity with her unique writing style. MacIver skilfully uses rhyme to weave a tale of the challenges Queen Alice and Sir Hugh face as each extraordinary palace is built.

          MacIver uses a four-line stanza with every line rhyming except the fourth line. The ending of the fourth line in each stanza is identical so there is a constant ‘oo’ sound pattern throughout the read.

          Lucia Masciullo’s visual portrayal of the different palaces and humorous characters, using magnificent colour and lines, brings the story alive. I’m definitely a fan of the illustrator’s work!

          Sadly, my children (aged 4, 8 and 12) didn’t love the book as they didn’t appreciate the poetry style. However, with my school teacher cap firmly in place, I would recommend this lovely book for classroom use. Its uniqueness and clever use of rhythmical words is a great example to students of creative poetry. This book is well suited for primary school children.

THANK YOU to our most regal friends at HarperCollins Publishers Australia for our review copy.

On Sale in Australia:    May 2013

 Formats:     Hardback | CLICK HERE FOR INFORMATION ON PURCHASING     E-Book here: CLICK

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  I have always enjoyed writing, since I was a child, but I never aspired to the idea of Being A Writer, as such. I did always hope to write a children’s book or two at some stage, and when I finally did, I found it to be such marvellous fun that I decided being a writer was actually a splendid idea.

I grew up in Wellington and went to Victoria University, where I completed a degree in linguistics, then a diploma in teaching English. I taught English on and off, working in-between as a cycle courier; in cafes; ushering at festivals; as a guide at the national museum; and as a travel agent (at which I was particularly hopeless). I also travelled around Thailand and Europe by myself. Finally, after a short spell in a government department, I left to become a fulltime mother of four children (who arrived in an orderly sequence, not all at once). This wonderful job has involved a vast amount of “market research” for my eventual evolution into a children’s author. Writing fits in (with a squeeze) around caring for my children, and I LOVE it to excess, so it is rather a perfect job for me.

Jake’s Cooking Craze by Ken Spillman with illustrations by Chris Nixon ★★★½

Reviewed by Sophia (Aged 10)  Meet Sophia

          Jake’s cooking craze is an adventure story. It starts off with Jake the odd one out at his school because everyone is watching a new cooking show except him.  

          Then Jake persuades his dad to watch it too. It was only a matter of time until Jake is addicted to the show. Not only to the actual show, but to the art of cooking. Nana helps with the basics of cooking but soon Jake is hearing the importance of hand washing and cleaning up progressively.

          At school he tells his friend Jonah about his cooking progress. Over the P.A system at school Jake hears that there will be a cooking contest, and that three people will be chosen. Stephanie, Jake and Almina get picked to do it.

         Jake tries to think of something Stephanie or Almina would never dare to cook. He thinks and thinks and thinks and finally he knows what he’s going to cook.

         I found this book to be good. It was a bit crazy when I discovered the ingredients being used by Jake in the competition. Overall I found this book interesting and imaginative.

Thank you to Fremantle Press for our review copy.  For more information on this book and where to purchase please CLICK HERE

SAMPLE CHAPTER

Jakes cooking craze sample chapters.pdf

Others in this Series

·                     Jake's Gigantic List 2009

·                     Jake's Monster Mess 2010

·                     Jake's Balloon Blast 2011

·                     Jake's Great Game 2011

·                     Jake's Concert Horror 2012

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

     Ken Spillman is one of Australia’s most versatile and prolific authors, editors and critics. He is the author of more than 35 books spanning many genres.

          Ken’s Jake series for younger readers has enjoyed remarkable success since 2009, and now appears in around a dozen countries across Asia, Europe, Oceania and North America. His adventure series, The Absolutely True Fantasies of Daydreamer Dev is also attracting many fans in India.

         An entertaining and inspiring speaker, Ken has presented sessions to many tens of thousands of schoolchildren in Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Oman, Philippines and Singapore.

VISIT Ken Spillman’s Website: http://kenspillman.com/index.html

ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR

Chris Nixon is an illustrator and designer based in Perth, Australia. His work is influenced by surf, skate, music and contemporary pop culture with an emphasis on the hand-drawn form. Accompanying his commercial work, Nixon has created several large scale artworks which have been installed around the state.

In addition to his commercial illustration, Nixon has been published in over 10 childrens books including his internationally acclaimed work on the Jake Series which has been published across several continents and languages. In 2011 Nixon was named in the top 100 New Creatives by CMYK Magazine.

GIRL'S BEST FRIEND by Leslie Margolis ★ ★★ ½

Reviewed by Sophia (Aged 10)  Meet Sophia

Maggie Brooklyn is a dog walker. She spends nearly all of her spare time walking dogs, but something strange is happening all over Park Slope, dogs are going missing!

Maggie figures out it is up to her to untangle the mystery. Ivy Maggie’s ex-friend has unfortunately got her dog (Kermit) taken too. So she has to help get Kermit back and all the other dogs back too. Maggie goes on a huge scavenger hunt to find all missing dogs, and she finds clues to help her on the way.

This book was a mystery-adventure story which I like because I like books with loads of action!

I really recommend this book to other young readers in search of an action packed, imaginative, adventure story. 

Our review copy of GIRL'S BEST FRIEND thanks to the wonderful people at Bloomsbury Publishing Australia

For purchasing details of this book and more information: CLICK HERE  

Leslie Margolis's Website:  CLICK HERE

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

LESLIE MARGOLIS is the author of more than fifty books for young readers, including two Annabelle Stevens books: Boys Are Dogs and Girls Acting Catty. She lives with her family in Park Slope, Brooklyn-which is also the setting of her new series, the Maggie Brooklyn Mysteries.

Leslie answers reader's questions about herself:  CLICK HERE